Ruán
Say it: ROO-awn
BoyIrishMeans little red one4 letters2 syllables
#577
in Ireland (2025)
#418 with spellings combined
8
babies in 2025
#283
best rank (2016)
177
babies since 2003
Down 42
10-year rank change
Ruán through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #418 |
| 2024 | 9 | #379 |
| 2023 | 7 | #460 |
| 2022 | 13 | #320 |
| 2021 | 8 | #400 |
| 2020 | 10 | #369 |
| 2019 | 9 | #389 |
| 2018 | 15 | #287 |
| 2017 | 10 | #374 |
| 2016 | 16 | #283 |
| 2015 | 10 | #376 |
| 2014 | 13 | #325 |
| 2013 | 10 | #383 |
| 2012 | 7 | #457 |
| 2011 | 4 | #623 |
| 2010 | 10 | #373 |
| 2009 | 5 | #532 |
| 2008 | 4 | #601 |
| 2007 | 3 | #629 |
| 2004 | 3 | #506 |
| 2003 | 3 | #500 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0. Spellings with and without fadas are combined; the CSO only recorded fadas from 2018.
★ What does Ruán mean?
Little red one
Irish, a form of Ruadhán, from ruadh (red) with the small ending -án.
Say it right
ROOawn
In Munster the stress often moves to the end, roo-AWN.
Not:ROO-an
The story of Ruán
Ruán is a shorter form of Ruadhán, which comes from ruadh, red or auburn, with the small ending -án. So it means something like “little red one”, probably first given for red hair. The same name was anglicised long ago as Rowan. Ruan is also a village in County Clare, between Ennis and Corofin.
The best-known Ruadhán is the sixth-century saint who founded a monastery at Lorrha in County Tipperary, and who is counted among the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Legend says he cursed Tara after the high king Diarmait mac Cerbaill broke the right of sanctuary, and foretold the king’s death.
Ruán first reached the Irish list in 2003. Its best year was 2016, when 16 boys were given the name, reaching number 283 combined. The CSO counts Ruán and Ruan separately, and the spelling without the fada has been used more over the years. In Northern Ireland its best rank was number 200 in 2023.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Ruadhán (Irish proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Ruán (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ruadhán of Lorrha
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ruán | 5 | 54 |
| Ruan | 3 | 123 |
In Northern Ireland
#270 in 2025 with 6 babies. Best rank #200 (2023); 62 babies since 2012.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.